“Excellent,” I sighed.
“Speaking of growing stronger,” he asked with raised eyebrows. “I hear you got to meet your future sisters yesterday?” I couldn’t stop the wide grin that took hold of my mouth as the memory of the day before rushed into my mind.
“Oh my god, I was terrified, but it was incredible!” I relived the events of the Gathering with Finn while he grinned at me with pride. I described the multi-faceted dress, the ruins that were anything but, and the awe-inspiring Nereids. Even thinking about it again made my heart warm with a sense of belonging. Once I finished my story, he leaned back to look into my eyes; his features suddenly serious.
“I’m going to take you somewhere today,” he informed me in a tone that implied there would be no arguing.
“Find Nadia and make her pay for what she did to you? ‘Cause that’s now at the top of my Christmas list,” I told him in all seriousness. He laughed and shook his head.
“I’m sure you’ll get your chance to unleash the wrath of Stasia, but today we’re just going for a little adventure.”
“Do I have to put on another dress?”
“I would suggest a bathing suit,” he grinned wickedly and shrugged a shoulder. “Or nothing.
Whichever.” His face dripped with feigned innocence and I pushed him playfully. “What? Wearing nothing gets my vote.”
“You don’t get a vote.”
“I should definitely get a vote.”
“Nooo!!” A wretched scream reverberated throughout the house and raised the hair on my arms. “Leave me alone!!” As her agony filled our ears, Finn’s eyes hardened and he appeared to sense something. I felt his body stiffen next to mine.
“Carmen,” I explained; my voice thick with grief.
We flew out of bed, leaving only a split second for my breath to catch in my throat when I saw Finn’s shirtless chest and low hanging jeans. We scrambled downstairs and I stopped abruptly at the last step, causing Finn to run into me. Phoebe was sobbing onto the shoulder of Natasha, and Charon was talking in a low voice on the phone. It was not the scene I had expected, and I had a sinking feeling that it had everything to do with the ear-splitting screams that were still coming from Carmen’s room.
Chapter 12
“Something’s not right,” Finn muttered and slipped past me, disappearing into Carmen’s room. I ran after him, followed closely by Natasha and a very distraught Phoebe.
“Who the hell are you?” I heard Finn growl before I made it inside, darkness dripping from his voice. All seven feet of Dorien’s body had been thrown to the floor, where Finn had him by the neck. He slammed his head against the floor when Dorien didn’t answer.
“Finn, stop!” I started to move towards them, but Natasha’s arm stopped me.
“Stasia…wait,” she warned in a hushed voice while her eyes stayed fixed on the now-fuming Finn.
“Talk.” Finn’s hand tightened around Dorien’s neck. Something squeaked out of Dorien’s mouth, but I couldn’t hear what it was. The muscle in Finn’s jaw tightened and he pulled Dorien up to his feet in seconds. Dorien started to cough and gasp for breath before Finn pushed him up against the wall and pointed at Carmen, rage burning in his eyes. “What do you want from her?”
“Nothing…I…” Finn punched him in the stomach and then pushed him back up against the wall again.
“Don’t lie to me,” Finn growled. “What do you want from her?”
“I heard that she’s been to the Underworld,” Dorien gasped and his voice lowered, “and brought something back. I won’t allow her to unleash some god forsaken demon on our sacred island!”
“And just what did you think you were going to do about it?”
“She must be sacrificed!” Dorien yelled at Finn, “She’ll take that demon back to hell with her!”
“You will not touch her,” Finn threatened. Dorien made the mistake of lunging at Carmen, who was lying on the bed silently watching the encounter with a half-cocked grin on her face. Finn caught his arm and twisted it behind Dorien’s back. I heard a sickening crack, and then Dorien cried out in pain. Charon entered the room, and he and Finn easily carried Dorien out the front door and launched him onto the street; leaving the rest of us standing around speechless and trying to pick our jaws up off of the floor.
“How did he know…?”Phoebe asked where she stood beside me with wide eyes.
“I have no idea,” I whispered. Guilt flooded my soul. I should have known! I should have protected her!
“He is the Prime.” Suddenly Natasha was behind us. “It is in his nature to sense intent to harm.” I could tell by the smile on her face that she was immensely proud of her son. Feeling us talking about him, Finn looked up and met my eyes. His darkness reached out and enveloped me in warmth just as his crooked smile sent my heart racing. He released me from his grip as Charon pulled him aside. I turned to Phoebe.
“Where’s Ricker? And Willow?”
“They went to get coffee for everyone. Tina went with them.” Her eyes got wide. “Do you think she was in on it?”
“I have a good feeling we’ll find out when she returns.” Talking about Tina reminded me of yesterday’s Gathering, mainly afterwards. “How did I get home and undressed last night?”
“Tina and Dorien brought you back, and then Tina helped me and Willow get you undressed and in bed. We figured you wouldn’t mind waking up next to Finn.” Phoebe grinned widely at me, happy with herself.
“You were definitely right about that,” I attested as Charon and Finn came back inside the house.
“I need everyone in the kitchen,” Charon announced firmly.
“Go put on some clothes,” Natasha directed Finn, who caught me staring at him. A smirk formed on his lips and he winked at me. He knew all too well the effect he had on me. My face instantly heated, and I fought to stop the blushing before Natasha turned her scrutiny on me as well.
No such luck.
“Your face is a little red, dear,” Natasha informed me with a knowing smile; which only made it that much worse. She patted me on the shoulder and followed Charon into the kitchen. I looked around for the nearest rock to crawl under, or at the very least a sharp object to stab my eyes out with.
“Where is he?! He has answers! Bring him! Bring him!” We all stopped dead in our tracks as Carmen began to screech again. I had no idea what ‘him’ she was referring too, but I could definitely tell that her voice wavered and obtained that same unearthly undertone. It didn’t sound as if she were the one actually speaking. Natasha entered her room, followed by more yelling and then finally deafening silence. I wasn’t sure which was worse. Natasha emerged, frowning as she tucked the sleeping remedy into her back pocket.
“Finn senses the beings within Carmen and I believe he may be correct in his assessment,” Charon paced as we listened. “With that being said, Oreithya will be here very soon to visit with Carmen. I believe a purification ritual is in order first…” He nodded his head at Natasha. Oreithya.
It took a moment for the reason why I knew that name to click in place. She was the Nereid that Carmen is descended from; raging waves. I didn’t remember meeting her at the gathering. A shot of insecurity hit me out of nowhere. She must be one the Nereids who was not completely convinced that I belonged with them. She must have a reason for questioning my worthiness. I tried to shake those self-deprecating thoughts from my head and forced my attention on Natasha.
“Elina will be arriving momentarily,” she informed Charon, and then addressed everyone else. “I will need another Wiccan to assist in the ritual. I’ve known Elina for a very long time.”